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Where Are John Edwards & Rielle Hunter These Days?

by Lauren Barbato

There was a time when John Edwards was a viable presidential candidate — and almost became vice president. Back in 2004, Edwards was chosen as then-Sen. John Kerry's running mate, and the Democratic pair attempted to topple the Bush-Cheney regime. They couldn't, and we all know how that turned out. Four years later, Edwards again ran for president, but he was plagued by scandal this time around. So, whatever happened to John Edwards and his mistress, Rielle Hunter? After lying low for two election cycles, Hunter made a rare televised appearance that, admittedly, wasn't as juicy as political gossip hounds would hope for.

In December 2007, the National Enquirer broke the story about Edwards' extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, a former actress. Edwards was already well underway with his 2008 presidential campaign, and initially denied the reports.

During the summer of 2008, months after Hunter gave birth to a daughter, Quinn, Edwards publicly admitted to the affair. At this point, he had long suspended his campaign but was thought to be a top pick for Barack Obama's running mate.

In January 2010, Edwards finally acknowledged paternity of Quinn. His wife, Elizabeth Edwards, legally separated from him, and died later that year from breast cancer. (The fact that Elizabeth Edwards had had breast cancer throughout this affair led Hunter to be even more strongly vilified by the public.)

Now, Hunter is opening up about her ex-lover and the affair that defined several years of her life. In an interview with ABC's Good Morning America that aired Friday, Hunter discussed love, motherhood, and co-parenting with an unlikely person.

The occasion for the Good Morning America interview was the upcoming release of Hunter's latest children's book, titled Howie Do It. The book was illustrated by Hunter's and Edwards' daughter, Quinn.

"Everything I do now is based on being a mom," Hunter said in the interview. She added that her choices are now determined by how they will impact her daughter.

According to Hunter, she and Edwards remain "good friends" as they continue to co-parent Quinn. "We have the same goals. We want the best for Quinn," Hunter said.

And of course, it had to be asked if Hunter is still holding a flame for Edwards. "He's family, I absolutely love him," Hunter said. "I will always love him."

Quinn added that her father is "great dad." Meanwhile, Hunter smiled and said, "I think he has a soft spot for her."

Hunter did let on that she admires Hillary Clinton and all the storms she's weathered — most notably, the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal that also sent Lewinsky underground for nearly two decades. It's not hard to figure out that Hunter is voting for Clinton, ending the interview with an "I'm with her."

So, there you have it: The "other woman" and her daughter are doing great. Maybe we can finally move on now.